The Colony

M A R I N E.

I must explain, you would know it eventually. The girls who arrive here are obliged to take a husband.... it is not my fault.... I would rather have died, they would not have it; I wanted to leave, they would not have it; and then, in a little boat the size of one's hand, (She points to one on the shore) the Governor came, he was very polite to me, he told me he loved me, and begged me to choose him.

B L A I S E.

Well, well....

M A R I N E.

Goodness, I thought you were dead, drowned, eaten by wolves, I know not what, and....

B L A I S E.

And you chose him!

M A R I N E. (quickly and as if relieved of her embarrassment)

Yes, look, he is waiting for me, I am going to find him.

B L A I S E. (stopping her)

Wait, wait, you wretch, you unfaithful woman!

M A R I N E.

Ah! Blaise, do not be angry; it is not my fault.

A I R.

Heaven knows I always said no,
But the law wanted it for real.
I had to make a choice without fuss
Or leave the district at once.
By dark, frightful whales,
I believed you devoured, on my faith,
At once all the blood in my veins
Stops and freezes with dread.
But soon, deep in my soul,
This ice becomes a flame.
A handsome prince takes me as his wife,
He is waiting for me, farewell then, let me be,

Farewell, console yourself.